Highland MSP seeks clarification on crackdown on A9 speeders
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart has placed a Parliamentary Question looking for more details on the 687 motorists caught speeding in the recent 10 day crackdown on the A9 Inverness – Perth road.
He said “ I applaud the work of the Police and other road safety organisations in trying to make sure our roads are safer and as a veteran traveller myself of the A9, I am only too aware of the poor standard of some of the driving that I see. Unfortunately there have been so many tragic deaths caused by vehicle collisions on this route, that action has to be taken to address this issue.
“The current Government are committed to dualling the A9, but I feel the timescale they have set is too long. What we need is for a quicker roll out of dualling sections, a shift from freight being transported on this route to rail and action taken against all drivers who drive at an inappropriate speed, be that too fast or indeed too slow. With regards slow drivers, by failing to pull over and let following vehicles pass, the drivers cause frustration, which must be a contributory factor in many of these road collisions”.
He went on to state “ I have asked the Scottish Executive how many of those 687 motorists caught speeding in the recent crackdown on the A9, were also charged with dangerous or careless driving.
“How many were caught by static Police Patrol or Speed Camera Partnership van on straight sections of this route and how many were caught very close to the end of dual carriageway sections. These speed checks should be carried out at collision ‘hot spots’ and proactive action should also be taken against the drivers that cause frustration by driving at inappropriate speeds, including those who do not let following traffic pass.
“ I am not suggesting the Police and the Speed Camera Partnership do not take action against all those driving at inappropriate speeds, but I have a concern that such speed checks are being carried out at locations which could be seen as an easy way to raise revenue such as very near the end of dual carriageway sections as opposed to where there is an increased risk, such as at collision hot spots”.
